Every January my church participates in a consecration where we eat one meal a day. So for the last 21 days, I have been fasting and surviving on not much food. Some people would think this is too great of an undertaking, and initially I was a bit nervous. Like I said, we perform this fast every year but this year’s hit different for me.
During the pandemic, I’ve realized I really like food. I could always eat, but my relationship with food over the course of the past year has become less healthy. I don’t have to be hungry to want a snack. Sometimes I crave something to chew on simply to cure my boredom. I’m a bored-eater. A bored-eater who has gained a few pandemic-pounds due to the good cooking and eating I’ve been doing.
Naturally, forcing myself away from food for 23 hours a day was going to prove to be a challenge. But as someone who now writes to you from the other side of this experience, I can say fasting is not easy but it’s worth it.
Here’s why it can be a good idea to fast:
Spiritual Growth
Most people, particularly Christians, fast and pray to grow spiritually. There are tons of scriptures in the Bible that lead us to fast for God. Whether it be to hear from him more clearly, to provide sacrifice and worship for Him, the Bible tells us fasting and prayer go hand in hand in getting closer to God and in seeking his spiritual guidance. Learning to ignore your flesh’s desires and wants helps you to tune in to what your spirit needs.
God will reveal himself to you and strengthen you when you focus on Him without distractions. I know very well how food can be a distraction. If I’m not eating, I’m usually thinking about what I’m going to eat later. This fast allowed me to focus more on listening to and studying the word and will of God instead of the will of my stomach.
Increased Productivity and Efficiency
There are many benefits to fasting aside from spiritual growth. Perhaps this is why we’ve seen a growing trend in intermittent fasting (Google or Pinterest if you’re not familiar with the term, it’s everywhere). Intermittent fasting is believed to have health benefits such as boosting energy levels and mood enhancement, as well as improved memory and “capacity to learn and retain new information” per this article.
Just this past week, I was asked to work from home due to a potential Covid-19 scare (my test results were negative fortunately). This sounded like a nightmare for me (Kudos to all you work-from-home folks out there making it work.) Not only was I confined to a desk in the name of “virtual schooling” but I was only several paces away from my kitchen at all hours of the day.
The prior two weeks of discipline made it easier for me to stay out of the kitchen. What I was most surprised with was how well I was able to stay focused and attentive to my work duties throughout the day. I tend to have the attention span of a 4 year old sometimes, which is why I prefer spending most of my time with them. I can only attribute this newfound concentration to the absence of lunch/snack breaks and the mental clarity that had developed over the course of my fast. When Moses fasted for 40 days, He wrote the Ten Commandments!
Mental Toughness
Fasting can discipline you and grow your mental toughness. It teaches you how to live “mind-over-matter”. Make no mistake, fasting is not easy. During the 21 days, there were times when I was hungry. There were times when I had to serve food to my students and I could not indulge in the meal with them. When I was offered food I had to say no. For a foodie, that was hard.
But just as in life, God never promised there would be no temptations. Jesus fasted for 40 days and nights, then was tempted by Satan. He had to have felt weak and frail in body, but relying on God and God’s word gave him strength and determination to best the devil.
Some of you out there might believe fasting is not for you or are wary of trying it out. In some cases, due to health reasons skipping meals may not be something you can partake in. Consult with God (and your doctor) and see what is right for you.
For those who are unsure, I can tell you it is worth the sacrifice. I learned food does not control me. It is a temptation that I can deny with the help, strength, and mental fortitude God and His Word give me. Maybe you are unable to fast or give up food. I don’t know what you’re battling with or what you’re addicted to, but if you give it up for God, even if just temporarily, He will see you through it and make you better for it.
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